The forest was too quiet after Vessel Four's shattering.
Ash drifted gently where the creature had stood—
sparkling red motes dissolving into the wind.
Arden kicked a piece of broken bark.
"Damn.
That thing was nightmare fuel."
Oren crouched beside the remaining dust, adjusting his glasses.
"This wasn't just a vessel," he said softly.
"It was a prototype."
Lyra blinked, arms still wrapped around Zerrei.
"A… prototype?"
Oren nodded gravely.
"Yes. Not a finished vessel.
An experiment.
A test."
Zerrei tensed in her arms, fingers tightening into her cloak.
"…test… for what…?"
Oren stood, folding his arms.
"For you."
Arden muttered under his breath.
"The Creator's a sick bastard, huh."
Oren continued:
"This vessel wasn't supposed to win.
It was supposed to measure Zerrei's emotional resonance.
Study his fear.
See how he reacts to threat.
How much he's bonded to Lyra."
Zerrei stiffened fully now.
"…they… watch… Zerrei…?"
Lyra gently stroked the back of his head.
"Not anymore. You broke their toy."
But Oren didn't look relieved.
"Vessel Four was only sent because the Creator needed data."
He turned toward the dark part of the forest where the shadows still clung thickly.
"That means the Creator now knows exactly how powerful Zerrei has become."
Zerrei trembled, glow dimming.
"…Lyra… they… come again…"
Lyra hugged him tightly.
"Let them come."
He blinked in surprise.
"…Lyra…?"
She placed her hand over his heart—
over the soft glow through his cracks.
"You aren't alone.
You have me.
You have Arden.
You have Oren."
Zerrei leaned into her touch, glow warming faintly.
"…Lyra…"
Arden coughed loudly.
"Okay—
touching moment and all—
but we need to move before the Creator throws vessel FIVE at us."
Oren nodded.
"We need safety. Distance. A place to regroup and analyze Zerrei's new form."
Zerrei blinked.
"…new… form…?"
Oren's eyes lit with scholarly excitement.
"Oh yes—You've evolved.
Significantly."
Zerrei peeked down at his hands.
Still trembling.
Still glowing faintly.
"…Zerrei… different…?"
Lyra brushed his cheek.
"You protected me."
He softened.
"…always…"
But Oren held up a hand.
"Let me explain."
OREN'S ANALYSIS OF BATTLE MODE
Oren tapped his staff lightly on the ground.
Zerrei flinched—
and Lyra immediately tightened her hold.
Zerrei leaned into her, seeking comfort automatically.
"…Lyra…"
She hummed softly.
"It's okay. Oren won't hurt you."
He relaxed a little.
Oren continued:
"Zerrei's resonance threads are new.
Highly advanced.
No vessel has ever developed emotional tracking."
Lyra blinked.
"Emotional… tracking?"
Oren nodded.
"Yes. Vessels typically track mana signatures.
Zerrei tracks feelings."
Arden shrugged.
"Makes sense. The kid loves Lyra so much he basically glows whenever she breathes."
Zerrei blinked.
"…Zerrei… glow…?"
Lyra giggled softly.
"You do."
He immediately turned shy.
"…Lyra… like glow…?"
She kissed his forehead.
"I love it."
He melted—
literally sagging into her arms.
Arden smirked.
"Gods. That's adorable."
Oren cleared his throat sharply.
"Anyway. Ahem.
Zerrei's evolution has three major signs:
1. Halo Manifestation
Oren gestured to the faint golden ring still glowing behind Zerrei's back.
"That halo isn't decorative.
It amplifies his resonance.
Projects his emotions outward.
Strengthens his defense."
Arden whistled.
"So the halo is like a power booster?"
Oren nodded.
"Exactly."
Zerrei looked over his shoulder at the halo.
"…Lyra… see… circle…?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"It's beautiful."
He flushed softly.
"…Lyra… like… circle…?"
She laughed quietly.
"I love everything about you."
Zerrei's glow brightened.
2. Resonance Thread
Oren continued:
"The thread that guided Zerrei to Lyra—
that's unprecedented.
It means his bond with her isn't just emotional—
it's magical."
Lyra blinked.
"Magical bond?"
"Yes," Oren said.
"It connects your mana signatures.
Your feelings.
Your fear.
Your warmth."
Zerrei curled into Lyra's side.
"…Zerrei… feel Lyra… always…?"
Lyra gently squeezed his hand.
"And I feel you too."
He gave the tiniest, softest smile.
3. Overwrite Touch
Oren pointed to the remnants of Vessel Four.
"When Zerrei touched that creature, his resonance spread into it.
Overwriting its magic.
Destroying its core slowly."
Arden grinned.
"So he can melt vessels with his bare hands. Awesome."
Oren shot him a look.
"It's not melting—it's overwriting.
Zerrei's emotions override other vessels' magic.
That's dangerous.
And powerful."
Zerrei blinked up at Lyra.
"…Lyra… scared… of Zerrei…?"
Her breath caught.
She immediately cupped his face with both hands.
"Never."
He leaned into her palms, relieved.
"…Lyra… safe… with Zerrei…?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"…Zerrei… safe… with Lyra…?"
"Yes."
He closed his eyes—
And for a moment, everything was still.
Soft.
Warm.
THE PRICE OF EVOLUTION
But then—
Zerrei swayed.
Lyra grabbed him.
"Zerrei—!"
He blinked weakly.
"…Lyra… dizzy…"
Oren stepped closer.
"Side effect."
Arden frowned.
"Side effect of what?"
Oren sighed deeply.
"The evolution took a toll on his core.
He wasn't ready.
Emotion forced the advancement."
Lyra tightened her grip.
"Is he hurt?"
"No.
But he's exhausted."
Zerrei slowly laid his head on Lyra's shoulder.
"…Zerrei… tired…
Lyra… hold…"
She hugged him gently.
"I've got you."
He whispered:
"…don't… let go…"
She smiled through the worry.
"I won't."
Arden knelt beside them.
"So—what's the plan now?"
Oren exhaled.
"We find shelter.
Let Zerrei recover.
Analyze the evolution."
He looked east.
"And prepare for Vessel Five."
Zerrei jerked weakly.
"…Vessel… five…?"
Lyra quickly stroked his hair.
"Don't think about that. Rest."
He nuzzled into her chest softly.
"…Lyra…"
She whispered:
"I'm here."
His glow dimmed gently—
Finally—
He fell asleep in her arms.
Oren nodded.
"We move carefully.
We keep him close.
And we don't let him wake alone."
Arden stood.
"We're with him. All the way."
Lyra held Zerrei tighter.
And whispered into his quiet glow:
"We'll protect you too."